13

Thirteen weeks today! I can't believe it. It seems that the weeks are going by a little more quickly, but maybe that's because I am feeling better. I had my first regular OB appointment, and Dr. T's first words to me were, "Glad to have you back!" It was good to be back. I got to actually hear the heartbeat, which was wonderful and strong. Other than that, everything seems to be going well.

I go in tomorrow for my NT scan with the prenatal specialist. I am a little worried. In reality M and I have no risk factors, but that doesn't mean that you're 100% safe. It's one more thing to worry about, I suppose. I am excited about seeing the baby, though! It's been three weeks since the last ultrasound and I am interested to see how much growth there has been. Speaking of growth, my wardrobe is shrinking every day! I have two pairs of work pants that still fit - barely - and a few skirts. The problem is, my maternity pants are still a little too big. I'm in clothing limbo.

Last Tuesday I sent out an e-mail to all of my friends letting them know about the "big news". I was at a going away party the next day and was overwhelmed with all of the questions. Have you thought about names? Are you going to get a new house? Are you going to find out the sex? I was a little unprepared for how all of the questions made me feel a little panicked. I guess I need to start really thinking about the logistics of this. FMLA, daycare, furniture, birthing classes.....yikes. My favorite question was, "Was this planned?" Uh, yeah, you could say that.

I'm thinking about Baby Moxie this week and hoping that this year September 11th can have a more positive connotation for her.

Back to Life

I never want to come back to Houston after visiting Chicago and this time was no different. Here I am, though, back in the land of 95 degree temperatures and hurricanes. Another day in paradise. I am still a single gal for a few more days until M returns via car from the Midwest and I am ready for him to come home. I never sleep well when he's gone and I am exhausted!

The visit was really good and it was the first time since M's father passed away that both siblings and all of their kids ( seven in all) were together. It was noisy and cheerful and it made me feel very fortunate to be a part of such a great family. We told everyone our news and there was a lot of hugging and M's sister even cried.

O'Hare was a mess all weekend and I didn't get home until late on Sunday. I woke up with a nasty headache on Monday and only made it through a half a day at work. Last night, I barely made it to the bathroom before my stomach violently rejected everything I ate that day. There was so much pressure that I think I burst some capillaries in my face! I have little red dots around my nose and on my forehead. Has anyone ever had that happen? I don't really throw up, so I don't know if that's normal. I have very fair skin, so that might also have something to do with it. I still have a slight headache, but it's manageable. My next Dr.'s appointment is tomorrow so I will definitely bring up the headaches.

Special congrats go out to Cibele! She is feeling really anxious, so go and give her some love if you have a chance.

It's Not The Heat......

I am not someone who likes the summer months. Unfortunately, here in H.ouston, we have more summer months than anything else. Today, with 70% humidity, we will have a heat index of 110. Are you kidding me??? My ancestors came over on the Mayflower. We come from cold places and I am just not genetically set up for this. So, if yo live somewhere that has a temperature today below 90, please take a moment to be grateful. Also, think of me frying like an egg on the sidewalk.

The good news is, I leave for C.hicago tomorrow! M is from a southeast suburb and drove up earlier in the week to help his mom around the house. I cannot wait to go! I love C.hicago. It is a great city and if you have never been there I recommend a visit! We are going to announce to M's family our "big news". As far as our friends go, I am going to wait until my first regular OB appointment on the 24th before I make the announcement. I just want one more check to make sure everything is OK.

As I was driving to my parents house this weekend I thought about why I was hesitant to tell people. There is always that fear that the worst will happen and you will be forced to grieve publicly. I think that mainly it is that no one knows about the visits to the RE or the months of not knowing what would happen. We kept it very private. I want to tell everyone that this is different. I'm not just another thirty-something popping out a kid! I know I have not been through that much in my IF journey. There are many who have been through hell and are still going through hell and I am not comparing myself to those people. We were fortunate and hopefully that will hold true for the next pregnancy, as well. You never know, though, and I can't help but feel that I need to really treasure this pregnancy. I don't know if this is really a rational feeling to have and it could very well be influenced by hormones. The important thing is that I am 11 weeks today and everything is looking good, so far.

Congrats to Caro who got some excellent news! Also, go and give some love to Waiting for Life who lost a family pet. I think we've all been there and it can be very painful. I am praying for I Will Be Mom and hoping there is good news. I am always thinking of and praying for all of the people who are still on their path towards parenthood. You are in my thoughts every day.

Go and vote for LJ so she can win a trip to Maui. All you have to do is go to her "worst boss" story and click on the red square in the corner to vote. You can vote once a day!

Land of Hope and Glory

When you go to a graduation ceremony, you here the same march played. You can hum it right now, if you want. It's from a piece called Pomp and Circumstance and that particular march is called "Land of Hope and Glory". I thought about the title as I left the RE's office today, a happy "graduate".

The ultrasound was wonderful. As the technician stuck the wand in, I was laying down and couldn't see the screen. M burst out laughing. The baby was waving his/her arms around. I don't know if M expected that, but his laughter was a good sound to hear.

Everything measured well. The size is right on target, heart rate was good and the placenta is forming where it's supposed to be forming. The best part is, I get to stop taking the progesterone in one week!

While Dr. Fast examined me, she said that I needed to have my prolactin tested when I stopped breastfeeding because it may be the reason my progesterone was thrown off. Since they weren't able to complete the initial blood work, there is no way of knowing, until the next time, what was going on. I'm ok with that for now, I guess.

Anyway, I feel so relieved. I am going to call my parents tonight and let them know. When I spoke to my mom on Sunday she gave me a pep talk about how she just knew I was going to get pregnant soon. I almost told her then, but I just wanted to make sure everything was ok first. I don't think she'll be too mad when she finds out.

Go and give Oscar a big "Yay!!" Also, keep Sticky Bun in your thoughts as they deal with some very sad family news.

What a Headache!

I mean that literally. I have started getting wicked sinus headaches and have found out that there is really nothing you can take for them while you're pregnant. (At least nothing that works.) It has been raining every day for a month here in H.ouston and I can only imagine what the mold count is. That gets me every time. Usually, I would take my heavy duty medicine, but those days are over. I went home yesterday after being at work for only three hours and spent the rest of the day with a wet cloth on my face. It kept repeating t myself, this is all going to be worth it, this is all going to be worth it. It eventually let up later in the evening, but it was pretty rough there for a few hours.

Other than headaches, I am getting very excited about my ultrasound on Tuesday and can't wait! I hope everything is ok and that we have a good result and a smooth "graduation" to my regular OB/GYN, Dr. T. I have started to get more of an appetite, but I still can't eat meat. The thought of it is so unappetizing. I have been eating rice and beans non-stop so I can get some good protein, but that's getting kind of old.

I took out my belly button ring last night. I've had it for ten years now. We had a good run, but my pants are getting tight and it's starting to rub. I am almost ten weeks and my pants don't really fit. Is it too soon for that? Am I gaining too much weight? I have to go and get some new pants this weekend, but I don't know if I should go ahead and get maternity or just bigger pants. I guess these are good problems to have, right?

Congrats to H2H who had a good ultrasound! I am really thinking about everyone who is starting a new cycle or feeling discouraged. We are all wishing you a lot of love and I hope you can feel it.